My last blog post introduced Metabolic Syndrome and Type 2 Diabetes. You learned that Metabolic Syndrome is a health challenge you want to avoid that is described by a cluster of risk factors associated with Type 2 Diabetes.

You learned about the trigger risk factors involved. Please note: just 1 of these risk factors is cause for concern but any 2 together should be sounding the alarm that you have Metabolic Syndrome and are on the way to full blown Type 2 Diabetes.

Obesity with waistlines over 40 inches for males and over 35 inches for females

I challenged you to get out your tape measure to check your waistline. How did you measure up?

You also learned some tips on keeping your blood sugar more stable. You learned how to get out of the “Insulin Trap” and off the “Glycemic Rollercoaster.” Hopefully you have made some positive changes toward a more stable blood sugar.

Now I am going to focus on BMI and triglycerides.

What is BMI?

BMI is a measurement determined by your body mass (weight) and your height. It is used as a method of determining how much your weight is over or under what should be normal for a person of your height. Basically it can be a way of determining if you are overweight, underweight or in the obese category.

How do you calculate your BMI? Divide your weight in pounds by your height in inches. Then divide by your height in inches again. Multiply that answer by 703 using decimals. (see the chart)

I’ll be vulnerable and calculate my BMI as an example.

Ideal BMI is really less than 25. However to be included as a risk factor for Metabolic Syndrome it is set 30 or above. BMI is sometimes calculated slightly different in other countries. This is basic for USA.

A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy for most adults. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight while 30 and above is considered obese. On the other end a BMI of 18.5 or less is considered underweight. A BMI less than 17.5 is dangerously low and could be considered anorexic.

What are Triglycerides?

Triglycerides are a type of fat found in your blood. They are natural and are important to your health and your energy level. However when they become elevated you are at a higher risk for heart disease as well as Type 2 Diabetes.

Triglyceride levels are a reflection of the amount and types of fats and carbohydrates in your diet. When you eat your body converts any calories it doesn’t need into triglycerides for storage in fat cells. They are used, if needed, for energy between meals.

Think ‘empty calories’ or ‘easy calories’ and you will be thinking of foods that can raise your triglyceride levels. Here are some examples of some of the foods you may be thinking about:

A healthy level of triglycerides is below 150. This is usually included in your fasting blood test that also measures your cholesterol. My last blood test (2-28-2013) showed my triglycerides at 69. When did you last have your triglycerides checked and how did you measure up?

What can you do to bring your BMI and Triglycerides into a healthy range?

Increase your intake of fruits, vegetables and real whole grains

Increase fish consumption particularly those rich in omega-3’s like salmon, tuna and anchovies

Reduce the serving size of beef, pork, chicken or turkey to 4 oz. or less on average

Plan meals and snacks to provide 2 to 1 ratio of protein versus carbohydrates as you learned in the last article

Use a high quality protein drink such as a NeoLife Shake for at least one meal per day as you learned in the last blog

NeoLife’s Salmon Oil Plus has been used in human clinical trials. It has been shown it can help lower triglycerides. The average triglyceride reduction in the 8 week study was 17% but the greatest reduction was 52%. A point to consider is the people with the highest triglyceride numbers had the greatest reduction.

Accept the challenge today. Take action steps to reduce your BMI and triglycerides thus reducing your risk of Metabolic Syndrome and Type 2 Diabetes. Take charge, make good choices and please share with me what action steps you are taking in the comments section below.

Join the NeoLife Club today and try NeoLife Shake and GR2 Control at my cost (25% off) as long as you consistently order. This even includes Free Shipping when you set up Auto Ship for following months. You can cancel or change your order at any time.

Pat has been married to the same man for 52 years, is the mother of 3 adult children, and grandma to 8 grandchildren. Growing up in the country gave her a head start to living a healthy lifestyle. This grandma became interested in nutrition as a mother and for the past 27 plus years she has specialized in teaching others the importance of good nutrition. Challenges along the road have been many; her father overcoming congestive heart failure with nutrition, her husband's battle with GERD and avoiding a major heart attack, her daughter's battle with a brain tumor, her grandson beating Hodgkin's Lymphoma, her mother's stage 4 lung cancer, her mom-n-law's dementia, and others. Her goal is to share with others the things she has learned and is still learning about having the BEST REAL HEALTH possible.

Yes, salmon oil probably is one of the main supplements that saved my husband’s life when he had so much blockage but yet the salmon oil kept his blood slick and healthy enough to flow despite the blockages. It is a one of the supplements I will sacrifice other important items to have on hand and it is important to use the best quality screened salmon oil available.

So very happy to have you visit my blog and also happy you learned a lot about BMI and Triglycerides. So many people do not realize how their BMI and triglyceride number affects their long term health.

Yes, it is good news that proper nutrition can bring number back into a normal range if they have gotten out of hand. It’s sad that many do not understand they should eat to live rather than living to eat. That’s really what it takes to have numbers in a more normal range.

More people need to be raised to eat whole foods like fruits and veggies, even for dessert. You are most certainly not weird. Maybe you are in the minority when choosing that fruit for dessert but not weird.

Hope your notes help you in your future health. I’m so happy to have you as a visitor to my blog.

Excellent article sharing the health benefits of knowing where our triglyceride levels and bmi are. There are so many folks out there living day to day unaware they are a living time bomb. I hope more will read this, digest it and take the steps necessary to start living a healthy lifestyle before they find themselves in the obituary section of the paper.

Yes, many people are living, walking time bombs and are unware. Many people just accept that they are going to be sick the rest of their life and expect their doctor to make them well without any effort of their own. I, too hope more people will learn the steps they need to take in order to make those healthy lifestyle choices.

I’m happy to hear that your check up gave you a nice big check mark for OK. Even when things are ok today we do need to be informed as to some signals to watch for in the event something starts to go the other way.

Glad to have you visit this article. Need help and encouragement. Hang around and I’m give you some tips. I would like to invite you to accept my 10 Day Challenge to Better Health. It is Free and chucked full of tips on things you can do to improve your health and numbers.

My numbers definately aren't where they need to be. Since my son started staying at home with me, I am trying to eat more veggies so that I can share with him. I haven't been quite as successful at doing that yet but I will try to implement it because I know that the more veggies and fruits I eat, the more I can eat per say.

You are such a good mother in doing your best to set a good example for your son in how and what you eat. When you have a family it is important for the entire family to be involved in eating healthy, at least most of the time. When our children were growing up we always made it a point to eat as many meals as possible together as a family.. even breakfast.

Work on those numbers, it can make a difference in your health down the road of time.

Some of the links on this site may not be working currently, we are working to correct the problem. Please contact Pat on the contact page if you need more information about NeoLife or any product mentioned.